Future set for strong growth of Asian travellers

9 March 2013

A new report by IHG, one of the world’s largest hotel companies, and The Futures Company, identifies the trends set to shape the next 10 years of travel and the new categories of traveller that are emerging.

2013 marks IHG’s 10th anniversary as a standalone business.Bringing together recent research compiled by The Futures Company and insight from IHG, “The new kinship economy: from travel experiences to travel relationships” identifies groups including ‘new global explorers’ - travellers from high-growth countries such as China and India.

They follow well-trodden paths, want to visit all the must-see sights and are high-spenders –the report highlights that Asian travellers alone will account for one third of the world’s travel spend by 2020.

The report also cites the likely increase in city breaks to as yet ‘unknown’ cities that few people have yet heard of, or cities that haven’t even been built. Some 400 largely unknown midsize cities in emerging markets – predominantly China and India – will generate 40% of global economic growth over the next decade and beyond.

Richard Solomons, IHG Chief Executive comments: “This report shows how the world of travel is constantly evolving and identifies the trends that are set to influence the industry over the next ten years. “IHG is well-placed in the world’s developing markets. As new destinations and groups of traveller emerge we will ensure we are meeting the changing needs of those at the heart of our business – our guests.”

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50% of the hotels IHG plans to develop in the future now come from emerging markets such as Greater China. IHG has more than 50,000 rooms under development in this region– more than any competitor.

IHG is seeing some of its strongest growth in secondary and tertiary cities that aren’t yet on the hot lists of the world’s travelling population such as Chengdu, Hainan, Xian and Nanjing in China, and Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad in India.

IHG has recently announced a deal to build 13 hotels in India, creating over 2,600 jobs. As other infrastructure in these new cities is planned and built, such as transport links, shops, hospitals and schools so too are IHG’s hotels – forming part of the fabric of the area from the outset.

Other emerging categories of travellers identified in the report include:Evolving families, who represent the changing shape of the family traveller today.

At one end of the spectrum the industry is seeing multi-generational families taking over whole floors in hotels whereas at the other end of the scale, the growth of the single person household is driving the need for stimulating independent travel.Laptop and latte workers, a new breed of business traveller.

Often young, the typical 9-5 working environment and business centre atmosphere is alien to them. They prefer creative coffeehouse-style environments where they can be inspired by meeting other travellers while they work on their own laptops and smart phones

And, Expansive mid-lifers, the growing numbers of adventurous over 50s travellers – currently and for the first time the fastest growing and most affluent age group. These travellers seek new experiences yet demand services that respect their needs without labelling them as old.

The report also highlights the challenge for the travel industry of paradoxically balancing an increased guest preference for independence on the one hand with a desire for hyper-personalisation for other guests, including:The Invisible Traveller, a new phenomenon highlighted in the report, describes a guest who could potentially travel without touching the sides, and may never interact with hotel staff.

From planning to booking, check-in at the airport to check-in at the hotel, room service and even concierge services, some travellers are already opting for an entirely independent, human-free travel experience.

Conversely, Predictive Service describes the response to meeting the need for personalised and customised service. From staff who can speak multiple languages through to chefs who can provide vegan meals at short notice, the industry will need to keep evolving the ways they create customer loyalty and build long lasting relationships.

IHG is already responding to these challenges. Crowne Plaza is rolling out mobile check in from December 2013. The service will eventually become a brand standard, giving guests what they want and enabling staff to handle fewer transactions so they can focus on more meaningful guest interactions.

In China, IHG has responded to the need for a bespoke, customised service among travellers by launching a new international hotel brand catering specifically for the needs of Chinese travellers, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts.